The King’s Daughters Pediatric Unit was the big winner Saturdaynight as it benefited from an overwhelming sale of rubber ducks andhad the grand prize winners donate their winnings back to theunit.

The family of Dr. Joe Moak had the winning numbers matching the$5,000 grand prize duck plucked from the pool amidst therain-soaked King’s Daughters Foundation Ladies League DuckDerby.

At first, Moak and his wife Linda were shocked by theannouncement because they had only made duck adoptions to benefitthe ladies league, which held the event to raise money forimprovements in the pediatric unit.

With the winnings, they saw a way to turn the tables and helpthe foundation even more.

“For me, that was the only thing to do with the money,” saidMoak. “The hospital has been an important part of my entire life,so I wanted to give something back to it.”

Moak was born at the hospital and has been involved with it as aphysician for almost 25 years.

The Moaks’ $5,000 donation, along with the money from 7,100 duckadoptions, will be used for KDMC improvements, including theaddition of a game room and a special treatment room in thepediatric unit. An overall fund-raising total was still to bedetermined.

KDMC officials were delighted by the outcome of the LadiesLeague’s first Duck Derby.

“We only intended for this to be a 5,000 ducks derby, but thesupport was so unbelievable that we sold over 7,100, which waswonderful,” said KDMC Marketing Director Jennifer Jackson.

Jackson and other event organizers were also pleasantlysurprised to have such a large turnout despite steady rain duringthe entire event.

“It says a lot when you have so many people out here that don’tmind getting soaked to show their support,” said Jackson.

While many of the pre-plucking events were canceled due to rain,the opportunity for local physicians to wade into the sea of rubberducks was not about to be stopped as hundreds of people gatheredfor the 7 p.m. event.

Lightning strikes close to the Brookhaven Sports Complexpostponed the drawing until a little after 8 p.m. But that didn’tstop the crowd from returning.

“This is definitely the perfect weather for a duck derby,”Jackson joked to the crowd gathered under tents and umbrellas.

The first names announced were Dr. Hugh V. Leggett and RobertLaird, winning $250 each.

Leggett, an orthodontist, donated his winnings back to thefoundation, while Laird was unsure of what he would do.

The Decorative Source was the winner of $500, while Mary E. Mosswon $1,000 and Lee Brewer $2,500.

Several people were recognized for their efforts in promotingduck adoptions.

The event came to a close with a spectacular fireworks show thatdecorated the sky with sparkling colors.

Viewers watched and listened to the show in awe for over 20minutes. Vehicles lined the sports complex and Belt Line Road aspeople turned toward the sky.